New location and expansion of services for St. Jude Hospital

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 – Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King says government’s plans for the reconstruction of the St .Jude Hospital are founded in its commitment to ensure that citizens in the south have access to quality healthcare.

Prime Minister King says his government has taken a decision to construct the new St. Jude Hospital on a twenty–one acre site located within close proximity to the George Odlum National Stadium.

Mr. King says the reconstruction of St. Jude presents government with a golden opportunity to establish the health facility as a world-class health care and teaching facility, with international accreditation standards.

“Government has, therefore, decided to reconstruct the surgical building on the old site, using funds allocated by the Taiwanese government (US$2 million). This building will be able to provide a maximum of 32 beds. It will also house all the critical services and be made fully functional to allow St. Jude Hospital to relocate from the stadium and operate until the new facility is built,” the Prime Minister said.

“This would also make it possible for the stadium to be returned to the sports community which has demonstrated much patience and understanding so far. The reconstruction of the surgical building is expected to take 6 months. This component will commence by May, 2010, and be ready by October, 2010.”

The island’s Prime Minister says government has also decided to construct a new 90-bed health care facility for St. Jude Hospital at the new site near George Odlum Stadium.

He says the planning and design phase of this component is expected to take six months and the construction of the key phases of this new facility will take two years.

Mr. King also explained the rational behind government’s decision to reconstruct the hospital on a new site.

“There are limitations associated with the existing site. Its eastern portion is steep and an invasion of squatters along its northern, southern and western boundaries makes expansion difficult. The shape of the 25-acre lot also presents limitations. Of great importance also, is the location of the Hewanorra International Airport in the south of the island, which requires that there be access to emergency medical and surgical services on a 24-hour basis.”

Prime Minister King has proposed that the old St. Jude site and buildings be refurbished and the entire compound be developed as a medical research facility.

Alternatively, he says the site can be utilized by one of the medical schools currently operating in Saint Lucia.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [Site Help]

Read our privacy guidelines.